sericea lespedezaLespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don

Overview

Lespedeza cuneata is an upright semi-woody forb reaching 3-6 ft. (0.9-1.8 m) in height with one to many slender stems. Stems are often gray green with lines of hairs along the stem.

Foliage

Leaves are thin, alternate, abundant and three-parted. Leaflets have wedge-shaped bases and are 0.5-1 in. (1.3-2.5 cm) long and hairy.

Flowers

Flowering occurs from July to September, when small, creamy-white flowers with purple throats develop in clusters of two to four.

Fruit

Fruit is a flat ovate to round single-seeded pod 0.12-0.15 in. (3-4 mm) wide. Pods are clustered in terminal axils, scattered along the stem, and clasped by persistent sepals.

Ecological Threat

Lespedeza cuneata is an extremely aggressive invader of open areas and out competes native vegetation. Once established, Lespedeza cuneata is very difficult to remove due to the seed bank which may remain viable for decades. Native to Asia and introduced into the United States in the late 1800s, it has been widely planted for erosion control, mine reclamation and wildlife habitat.

Maps

EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State Regulated List - This map identifies those states that list this species on their regulated list. For more information, visit Invasive.org

Most Troublesome / Most Common Agricultural Weed List This map identifies those states that consider this species either most troublesome or most common in at least one commodity. For more information, visit the MTMC project page.